U.S. At War: Beginning

Without benefit of aides and brain-trusters, with no prepared statements
in his pockets, handsome, prematurely grey Edward R. Stettinius Jr.
appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Senators
questioned him, unanimously voted Committee approval.

The Senate usually waits a day after committee action on nominations.
But just a few hours later Stettinius was confirmed as Under Secretary
of State, without a dissenting vote. Up rose Democratic Leader Alben
W. Barkley in fulsome eulogy. Immediately Arthur Vandenberg, powerful
Republican member of the Foreign Relations Committee, was on his feet
to say that the Republicans agreed.